What provides authority for the Commission on Judicial Conduct to operate?

• A. The Federal Constitution
• B. Article IV, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution and Chapter 33 of the Texas Government Code
• C. Article V, Section 1-a of the Texas Constitution and Chapter 33 of the Texas Government Code
• D. The Texas Penal Code

Answer: (C)

Authority for the Commission on Judicial Conduct to operate comes from Texas law that creates the body and sets how it works: Article V, Section 1-a of the Texas Constitution along with Chapter 33 of the Texas Government Code. The constitutional provision establishes the Commission and its mission to supervise judges’ conduct, while the Government Code provides the procedures for investigations, disciplinary actions, and enforcement.

The federal Constitution doesn’t grant state judicial discipline authority, and Article IV of the Texas Constitution covers the judicial department in general rather than creating this Commission. The Texas Penal Code governs crimes and penalties, not the disciplinary processes for judges.